I got fired today, and I didn't even see it coming.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

At around 5:00 PM today, I got called into my boss's office. Waiting for me was the head of the HR and a box of tissues. Oh shit, I thought.

My boss looks at me (very matter-of-fact) and says, "After four months of employment, we do an evaluation of employees. You aren't up to the level we expect you to be at for this job, so we're terminating you, effective today."

Come again?

I was never told what I needed to do to get up-to-snuff, aside from learn our projects.

I had to pack all my shit up and was escorted out of the office. My boss didn't say goodbye or anything.

I feel like I've had the wind knocked out of my sails. I'm so pissed right now, you would not believe.

So, I guess having your work displayed in the hallway means you're not doing a good job.


I am still shaking from the shock.

[KitchenWitch]

1. That sucks

Are you in an at will employment state?

One should have warning, when they are not performing, well before a termination. IMHO.

On edit: :hug: and positive energy!

[Maddy McCall]

3. I agree.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

4. I'm in VA, so I guess so. I agree.

I'd only been there 4 months; before that, I was at a job for seven years. I was supposed to take over my boss's job when she retires...in seven years! Hello, is four months even time enough to know people's names? WTF?!

[mdmc]

8. everyone is an at will employee without union representation

peace and low stress

:hug:

[KitchenWitch]

10. That is very true

But some states actually have it on their law books.

[mdmc]

23. I didn't know that

:kick:

[lildreamer316]

33. It's called right-to-work.

and it SUCKS.

[mdmc]

34. right to work

just means anti-labor, right?

[lildreamer316]

38. Yeppers.

Hate that spin language.
It so totally blows. I hope we can make some progress against it soon.

[KitchenWitch]

68. There is a slight difference between right to work and employment at will

The legal beagles would need to explain it, but there is a difference.

[Fierce]

88. There is a huge difference between employment at will and "RTW".

Employment at will means just that. The employer can get rid of you for just cause or no cause at all. And you can quit for any reason without notice. Unless there's a contract, of course. But it doesn't have to be a union contract.

Right-to-work -- more accurately, right-to-starve -- means you can't have closed union shops in your state.

The two have nothing to do with each other and people conflate them often.

[lildreamer316]

32. Yep. We do here too. Pisses me off. I want to know how it can change!!!

I asked this question in a labor-related thread in GD two days ago and someone relplied soley about supporting a candidate. Didn't even bother to read my question. Irritatated me to no end.

[Maddy McCall]

2. Dang.

I'm sorry about that.

:( :hug:

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

5. Thanks.

[Whoa_Nelly]

6. OMG! :::hugs::::

Did you know there would be evals? Everywhere I've worked, I've always had a heads-up about what is expected to be checked on an eval.

Am so sorry this happened to you, SCRUBDASHRUB :hug:

[bigwillq]

7. Well that just stinks.

I am sorry for you.

:hug:

Hope you get back on your feet very soon.

May I ask what field you were in?

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

36. Sorry, stepped away from DU for a bit, and now I'm back.

Marketing/Business Development/Public Relations

[bigwillq]

46. That's a tough gig.

It's a vicious cycle.

One day you could come up with the best project and everyone loves ya, and then the next day you're a piece of shit.

[redwitch]

9. that is horrible.

you will get a better job I am sure. Hang in there. :hug:

[montanto]

11. that sucks, sorry to hear it.

:hug: been fired by surprise myself. be well.

[Robb]

12. That sucks, I'm sorry.

It's hard to remember the universe is going to open up a window when it's just slammed a door in yer face. But hang in there.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

13. I'm so sorry to hear that.

I had a similar situation once. Good luck in finding something else soon.

[Connonym]

14. :hugs: n/t

[undeterred]

15. that is "at will" employment

Unfortunately they don't owe us anything. Not even an explanation, not time, not severance, not even a wish of good luck. I've been there several times. When I worked as a contractor, about a third of my assignments ended abruptly. Sometimes there was some mention of my skills not being up to expectations, but I was given no opportunity to discuss it or find out where the info came from. I've been in my current job for a year, but people come and go so often that I stay "lightly attached".

Take a deep breath. Take a couple of days to pamper yourself and redo your resume, adding your accomplishments of the last 4 months onto it. Get right back out there and don't even let this break your stride. You will find something else.

[democracyindanger]

16. I always thought

they have to give you warnings if it's a performance-based issue, and give you a chance to rectify any problems.

Sounds pretty sketchy to me. Seems kinda illegal.

[WindRavenX]

17. should be. But in "at-will" states it's legal.

It SUCKS.

[mentalsolstice]

18. I have so been there!

I was "let go" 2 weeks before my 6 month (new employee, back in the 80's) probationary period was supposed to end. Not only that, I got home that day to find a letter from my gyn that my pap smear was abnormal, and I needed to come back for a (very painful) biopsy. Then my "stable" boyfriend dumped me because I was a "loser". But my very predatory, ex-boyfriend stepped into fill the gap...hey, I was unemployed and available 24/7.

But you know what? You'll get through it. Because you got a whole lot of people caring about you! Like us...here!

I won't kid you. It sucks! And it may suck for several weeks or months. But I've learned in my 46 years, that there are opportunities around the corner. Cliche, I know. I've learned there is no perfect career or job (you have to go piecemeal), nor is there a perfect mate (you simply have to have a whole lot of forgiveness in your heart)!!!

[LeftyMom]

19. That happened to me last year

Funny thing, I never got a bad review on anything either. Though I was informed that day that they'd put me on probation months ago (ie- had decided to create paperwork to reflect that before canning me.) I'd done a lot of training of fellow employees, and I knew all the legalities and nitty-gritty of my job backward and forward.

It came out okay, I'm going back to school to get work that I really enjoy.

[Sanity Claws]

20. Poor dear

I don't know what to say except to offer you a hug. You deserve better than that. :hug:

[Shell Beau]

21. Wow! Some people don't

have a heart. My friend was "let go" the Friday before Christmas, but at least it was somewhat private! He didn't see it coming either. Shitty.

[Lethe]

22. i first thought your headline was "fried" instead of "fired"

in which case, i was about to concur because that happened to me earlier this week.

sorry bout the job though.....getting fired without performance feedback is usually grounds for unemployment filing

[idgiehkt]

24. I'm so sorry.

If you are not in a 'right to work' state you might have some recourse. I know what that feels like...it's been over 15 years but I can remember how it felt.

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[Ava]

25. that sucks

i'm so sorry :( :hug:

[Dirty Hippie]

26. Years ago my sister was fired

Her take was that it was political. Someone was promoted that originally wanted someone else in her position and after he was promoted he was able to get his way.

She was devastated.

She now considers the firing a pivotal point in her life.
She does career coaching and as part of her job she councils people in transition, some because they have been fired or laid off.

She can honestly say to them she has been there and she believes she is much better at her job because she can empathize.

One day you too will realize this was a very important event in your life and you will clearly see how you have benefited from the experience.


But for now, bless your darlin' heart.

[Kerrytravelers]

27. Don't take it too hard.

In all honesty, people are generally assholes. We don't know why they act the way they do, but very often, it affects us greatly. The thing is, most people get fired. And most employees know that fact. So, while it may seem overwhelming now, it isn't necessarily something that will hold you back in the future.

And this may have nothing to do with you at all. Often time, employees will can someone right before their probationary period ends to avoid having to pay benefits. They'll bring in someone else and then unceremoniously dump them, too.

Don't take this recent event as a reflection of you, but of them.

[riderinthestorm]

28. You were probably still within a 6 month probation period so even if you aren't in an at will state

you can be fired for any reason.

I am so sorry. It is so unfair. You gotta know though, that if this employer would treat you like this, it's probably a GREAT thing you hadn't invested a whole lot more time there - they are shitty. It's probably better you are out now before you were really settled in and things exploded in your face (cause they would, sooner or later with an employer this cold).
:hug:

[SPKrazy]

29. Sorry, That Sucks

Sounds like a bad situation to not have even given you a clue that there was a problem.

:pals:

[baldguy]

30. Last time I was fired -

or "laid off" - it was the same BS - performance issues, service issues, etc etc. No basis for any of these "concerns".

The next day, they called me to see if I could cover a late shift.

[Samurai_Writer]

45. Wow, how nice of them!

They probably knew you needed the money, since they had just terminated you. What did you tell them?

[The Traveler]

31. That bites

and is also unfair. Good bosses tell ya what is expected, and let ya know if you aren't meeting those expectations. They suck. You'll have a better boss soon.

:grouphug:

Trav

[Digit]

35. I know how painful that is...I am so sorry

Happened to me in 2005 with no warning. I was mortified, embarrassed, and terrified.

You will get past this. Sounds like they did not deserve you anyway.
If it is any solace, at least it is a better time of the year to find a new job.
You will not be competing with the new grads yet and we are done with the holidays.

I wish that you manage to have a prosperous new year with better pay and better benefits.


:hug:

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

41. Thanks, guys! I appreciate the hugs and words of encouragement.

I thought I got along with the company president rather well, too. Even though he ultimately approves all hirings/firings, he didn't personally do it; however, I just wrote him an email, asking if he could write me a letter of reference for my portfolio, detailing my strengths (writing/editing/graphics). One of the things I was proud of was that I assisted the firm in their winning a design award through an awards submission I put together. I doubt he'll answer me, but it's worth a shot.

By the way, the board I did for the award was (and still is) displayed in the hallway. The full-page ads I did for the newspapers are still displayed on the bulletin board for all to see!?

So much for doing a shitty job; if having your stuff displayed is doing a shitty job, then good luck to them in finding someone better.

[graywarrior]

37. Nothing like being made to feel like crap on top of losing a job.

What a cold hearted dipshit. Want me to slap the shit out of him?

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

43. Hubby's already offered, but thanks!

:)

[Little Wing]

39. ouch

sorry to hear that, I hope you find something else soon :hug:

[Midlodemocrat]

40. Oh, sweetie. I'm so very, very sorry.

I can't believe they would do that to you.

:hug:

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

48. Midlo, thanks so much!

I was thinking this was a good fit for me, career-wise, considering I'd just left a job I was at for seven years where there was nowhere to go; however, politically (now that I discuss politics at the office), they were very conservative so not a good fit. The president of the company had a W sticker on his desk, so that automatically tells you someone there isn't too bright.

[swimboy]

42. Those idiots

I am so sorry you had to deal with them and what they did to you. I think you're right to direct anger at them. You were doing good work for them, something else was going on.

I'm sorry and I'm angry too!

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

56. Maybe some backstabbing bullshit. It's fucked up.

The most disappointing thing, aside from losing my job, is I thought I knew the person well who I was working for. I thought she'd be really cool and I could learn a lot from her; turns out, I was dead wrong.

[raccoon]

79. "Maybe some backstabbing bullshit." I'm sure it was.

Sorry that happened to you. Pamper yourself some today.

[1gobluedem]

80. That's what happened to me

I was getting too much recognition within the company and my boss, who I had considered a friend, didn't like it. I was fired much the same way you were, no warning, for 'poor performance' even though I had gotten an evaluation two weeks before which was completely positive.

I did go to a lawyer but it was an at-will situation so I had no recourse although it was nice to hear the lawyer say it was an open and shut case of professional jealousy.

Like others here, I can honestly say that getting fired was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I'm now in the 15th year of a job I love. Job stability is out there -- I hope you find something as great as I did.

[rug]

44. Workers are treated like prisoners.

"escorted" out.

Fuck them.

[Ishoutandscream2]

49. No kidding!

I hear stories all the time of people laid off and then escorted out by security. What fuckers!

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

51. That's what happened. The HR lady even had to follow me

when I cleaned out my coffee mug. I could not wait to get the fuck out of there. Then, I had to drive home a good 30 minutes. It sucked.

[XemaSab]

72. My last job I got laid off from

and I had to beg the HR person to let me recopy my notes from a survey I had done so the survey would not have to be repeated. She totally wouldn't let me do it, then I finally convince her to just let me get it done in like, 10 minutes.

Like, I'm doing you people a favor here even after you just canned my ass. :eyes:

[NNadir]

47. Well there's that guy who was the "secret Santa."

He just passed away.

He got fired too, from some dead end job, and went on to become a millionaire.

http://www.topix.net/content/ap/0781098270120285109625952539830211296981

He started giving away money to strangers at Christmas, just for the hell of it.

The best revenge is living well.

It sucks tonight, but you will get past it. It's tough, but you will survive.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

50. We'll be OK. We don't have children to support, so at least

we don't have to worry about putting food in their mouths, just our own.

[barb162]

52. I'm so sorry!

Hope you find a great job and as soon as you want it.

[Critters2]

53. I'm so sorry.

Can't imagine how that feels. If it helps--:hug:

[MadMaddie]

54. I am sorry that this happened to you, it's happened to me...

this was several years ago.

But in retrospect, it wasn't a place I wanted to be, they treated workers badly and it was not a healthy environment.

You will land on your feet once you get over the shock. Besides if they didn't have the decency to give you warning or help you if they thought that you needed improvement then you didn't want to be there anyway.

:grouphug:

[crim son]

55. You were escorted out without a goodbye from your boss?

What a coward. First, s/he's afraid you're going to steal a trademark secret or a coffee cup and then s/he doesn't have the decency to shake your hand and wish you well. It sounds like you might have learned not to like your boss, had you stayed on.

:hug: Hang in there and don't let this affect how you feel about yourself.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

58. I left the coffee mug there, and threw out all of my business cards.

I told the HR lady I thought it was cowardly of my boss (she wasn't there at the time) to not give me any warning there was something wrong, and that I thought it was bullshit. Not exactly professional, but then again, neither were they. It felt like a professional hit.

[crim son]

63. I am trying to put myself in your place and I am pissed off

and humiliated. I'm so sorry!

[HughBeaumont]

57. "Gee, why do you hate corporate America so much?"

Because of stories like yours, experiences like mine and others, and a whole lot of preventable misery that you just wonder WHY the fuck in 2007 hasn't even become CLOSE to being corrected yet?

Hey, at least you'll never have to see the cowardly jackoff who fired you again. The asswipe who fired me in 2001 at a previous job now works in the IT department at my CURRENT place of employment. I mean, HOW does that happen? WHO does this happen to? I often wonder if someone upstairs is playing a cruel joke with my life.

They say five months from now, this will be the best thing that happened to you. Well, let's hope it's sooner. Luckily, the job market doesn't appear to be as bad as it was in 2001. I wish you good fortune. America is like a prison to many and let's hope more than a few corporate leaders start waking up to that fact.

And while I'm still dreaming, I'd like 2 million tax-free dollars.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

59. I"ll probably see her at professional society events, but you know

what? I'll be the better person and look that bitch straight in the eye and say hello, how are you?

[Hav]

74. .

Yeah, show them. Do everything to get even better at what you do so that there is no doubt for them that they made a mistake.
And then you don't ask them "How are you?", you can ask "Who are you?"

Something similar happened to the girfriend of a friend. She worked her ass off, she loved the job and she loved what she was doing. Only to get told that she wasn't "100% behind her job" which was BS of course.

[Bryn]

60. Maybe Someday

You will feel lucky that it happened. It sounds like they did not deserve you anyway. :hug:

[Generic Brad]

61. That totally sucks

That sounds like one crappy boss. You will be better in the long run to not be associated with such people.

[Scout1071]

62. Oh man, I am so sorry.

I was caught off guard one time, but it turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me.

If it wasn't your dream job, now you have an opportunity to reach out and go for that dream.

[NoPasaran]

64. Those bastards!

[JackBeck]

65. I am soo sorry, sweetie.

Hopefully, you'll find something soon. A door closed can only mean that more will open.

:loveya: :hug: :pals:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

66. What a sucky thing to do to somebody!

I'm so sorry... :hug:

They should have advised you after 2 months that they wanted to see improvement in the areas of your performance that they felt were unsatisfactory.

:hug::hug::hug:
I hope you soon find something better.

[Scout]

67. getting fired really sucks

I feel for you. It's like a sucker punch. Especially how they follow you and watch you and escort you out ... like you're going to steal the stapler, or ransack the files or worse.

good advice already given ... pamper yourself some, lick your wounds ... then update the resume and get back out there.

you might be able to get temp work doing clerical or other assignments to tide you over until you find something permanent.

:hug: and good luck

[Momgonepostal]

69. That stinks!

I'm sorry you had to deal with that.

:hug:

[Redneck Socialist]

70. Shit, that sucks

Wish I had more to offer than my condolences.

The only thing I have to say is that if you (that's a generic you, not you specifically) are surprised that you are getting fired then management is not doing its job. Have they ever heard of coaching and counseling? WTF? They should at least tell you you are fucking up and give you a chance to improve. Bastards.

[XemaSab]

71. That's really retarded

They should have given you an opportunity to improve your work.

What assholes.

[u4ic]

73. I'm so sorry...

:hug:

[donheld]

75. That sucks big time

:hug:

[Skittles]

76. I am betting it had nothing to do with your ability

if your performance wasn't good you surely would have heard about it before they let you go, and four months is not really that long anyway. There's another reason and those cowardly bastards did not tell you what it was. F*** em - they sound like f***ing assholes.

[GalleryGod]

77. Not Good. Have faith in Oneself.

I'm not going to use profanity or the even worse term that ryhmes with "bucks"; No cyber hugs (because I've never met you), I won't call your Boss a coward or pervert or whatever, because it's hard running a company,even worse the HR division. We're not "owed" anything in the 21st Century workplace. Have faith in only oneself.
Good luck to you.

[philosophie_en_rose]

78. Aww. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry you've lost your job, and I hope you find a new one soon. One that will treat you with respect.

[shrike]

81. I was fired after three months, by the worst bastards I ever met in my life

May they all rot in hell. (And yes, I give you permission to think the same about your former keepers.) But they also did me a favor. Set me on a whole new course of life. Best thing that ever happened to me, in retrospect.

I wish the same for you. One of these days you'll look back and shake your head. I promise.

[cwydro]

82. Very sorry to hear that.

That must have been a terrible blow. :hug:

[wildhorses]

83. sorry to hear--go to your unemployment office and file a suit

against them. perhaps you can receive benefits. did you work there more than 90 days?

[MorningGlow]

84. Oh wow that rots

I'm so sorry that happened to you! :hug:

I went through a similar, yet in a way more bizarre, thing at my present place of employment (the one I'm leaving in EIGHT AND A HALF WORKING DAYS :woohoo: ) My direct supervisor had some kind of a bug up his ass about me from my first day, even though I was nothing but open, friendly, polite, and respectful. (I suspect I wasn't his choice for the job and our VP insisted they hire me.)

In my third month, he told me I had to have a three-month evaluation (it didn't exist--he invented it--and he's a lousy liar) and in it proceeded to tell me what a horrible person I was. Accused me of all kinds of things I never said or did. I thought I had gone down the rabbit hole. It was WEIRD! So I stood up for myself and told him it was all bullshit, and he backed down. Didn't fire me, although perhaps he should have.

A little less than a year and a half ago, our VP was removed from his position for angering those higher up the ladder than he. The very minute he was gone, my boss IMMEDIATELY took away all my assignments but one tedious one. I spent most days surfing the Web. I think he was hoping I'd quit.

I did.

Took me a bit longer than he hoped, because I took my case to the new VP, who REALLY dropped the ball--didn't resolve the situation one iota.

I cannot believe I have stayed at this hellhole for three entire years.

So anyway SDS, my point is that although it will take a while to realize this, you will come to see that they did you a favor. Because if they let you stay on and just tried to make your life a living hell like these cowards did, you'd end up wasting too many years of your life for nothing, like me.

And starting on Feb. 1, I will make every effor to make up for lost time!

:woohoo:

[WI_DEM]

85. I'm sorry it happened the way it did--they suck--but at least you know

now that you were working for a sucky organization with no regard for people and in the long run it may be a blessing in disguise.

[demrabble]

86. Bad Karma For Your ex-boss.

Your ex-boss earned lots of bad karma for doing that to you.

Do NOT let your ex-bosses actions make you feel as though you have no value.

You will get through this.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

87. Just checked in again; thank you all for so much more encouragement.

I've been through a host of emotions the last couple of days, and keep running stuff through my mind. On the positive side, I've updated my resume and put it on Monster (will put on a couple of other places). I'm going to be proactive about finding a new job; I have to treat the job search like a job.

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I'm gonna need all the help I can get.